Black for all seasons!

Bengaluru-designer Deepika Govind believes one must step up their accessorising game, when sporting an ethnic black ensemble.

Anushka Sharma

Simple, yet striking. Armed with the power to exude understated appeal, and the quintessential flaw fixer. Black as a hue has stood the test of time, and waded through the preening eyes of fashion police, fleeting trends and a panorama of lively shades. Clearly, there are reasons aplenty owing to which black is unanimously loved by women world over. So much so, that its presence is now felt even in the ethnic scene, with Indian women making black saree appearances now at weddings, more than ever. Quashing myths about its sobriety, how does one make a splash in black? We ask experts from the fashion fraternity to comment.

Bengaluru-designer Deepika Govind believes one must step up their accessorising game, when sporting an ethnic black ensemble. “Black sarees need to have a defining character to it —a nice red border, with due emphasis given to the detailing of the weaves. In fact, many details to the weaving is one of the integral bits to jazz up a black saree or rather unveil its stunning potential to the fullest. But, one can never do justice to a black saree without the right choice of accessories. Antique vintage pieces are stellar options to consider. A nice chunky necklace, while keeping it low key with the rest of dressing should do the trick.

Kajol Devgan

It is absolutely important to have one standout accessory to back up your gorgeous black ensemble,” she suggests. In keeping with how different body types call for different styling hacks, Bengaluru designer Ravina Belani believes the size of the motifs on one’s saree or ethnic ensemble should be inversely proportional to one’s body type. “Women on the healthier side would look lovely by sporting black sarees with very tiny motifs or light work. Choose a plain saree with a nice border for that elegant yet striking appeal. Women on the leaner side could settle for thicker works or a heavy sequinned zardosi saree or brocade blouses. While you could settle for larger prints to look more filled out, don’t go for really large prints as a petite frame won’t be able to carry that off.”

While black has been loved as a standalone hue for the longest, one can never really go wrong with mindful mixing, believes designer Seema Malhotra, who shares, “When you team black with antique gold, you have a star combination before you! It’s lovely to play around with a pop of bright tones, especially for lively events like weddings! Team a well-fitted black blouse with an off-white lehenga or saree laced with a hot pink border! We have been working with a lot of brocade; the banarasi fabric is an instant hit when it comes to picking up a texture for black sarees.”

Young adults today have a lot of room to experiment with their looks. And variety is the spice of life, sartorially and otherwise. Bengaluru blogger Aswathi Balakrishnan opines, it is important to create that effortless dressy vibe when wearing black to events.

“I would pair a black saree with a neon clutch, and swap those stilettos with a pair of sharp and trusty oxfords or pumps! Do up your hair into a neat bun adorned with fresh floral arrangements, sport those jhumkas, do a smokey eye and nude lips and you are good to go!